sundog

American  

[suhn-dawg, -dog] / ˈsʌnˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /

Or sun dog

noun

1. parhelion.

2. a small or incomplete rainbow.

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sundog British  

/ ˈsʌnˌdɒɡ /

noun

1. another word for parhelion

2. a small rainbow or halo near the horizon

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Etymology

Origin of sundog

First recorded in 1625–35; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

"The music of Mountain Man is nestled in the tradition of American folk, but shoots like a diamond dust sundog out of the nest and into the high, cold and wide atmosphere" – Underwater Peoples.

From The Guardian • Jun. 7, 2010

Sary's wood-pile's nigh gin out, 'n there was a mighty big sundog yesterday; 'nd moreover I smell snow.

From The Wit of Women Fourth Edition by Sanborn, Kate

In both instances when the aircraft began to climb, the sundog disappeared.

From The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects by Ruppelt, Edward J.

Just as he did this the warning light on his radar gun sight blinked on, indicating that something solid was in front of him—he wasn't photographing a sundog, hallucination, or refracted light.

From The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects by Ruppelt, Edward J.

This aspect of a definite shape seemed to eliminate the sundog theory too.

From The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects by Ruppelt, Edward J.